Northern Mumhttp://www.northernmum.com
Crossfitting, clean living, long suffering MumTue, 03 Mar 2015 21:34:45 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1NorthernMumhttps://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily RotationNew post from northernmum, its a good one, please click through to the site....Dating the NHShttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/jtRMgkeEmXI/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/03/dating-nhs/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:25:29 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8582“Blimey mum, has Libby always been this loud.” quipped my son within two minutes of having a bright red aid placed in his ear.

The answer was yes.

“Blimey mum, is my voice always this booming?” was his next comment.

Surprisingly, my answer was again, yes.

The last few hours have been a sensation of audio thrills for Owen. To be honest I didn’t realise how much he has not been hearing until he got some of his hearing back.

But with an improved hearing, also comes ‎a lingering sadness. For two years we have tried everything to improve Owens’ ears, to avoid having artificial aids.

Nothing has worked. In fact his left ear has over 50% hearing loss, but has also had an raging infection for almost five months. A hearing aid is not going to help the left ear, instead he faces major surgery, which requires a fortnight recuperation at home, ‎before he has hope of hearing ‘normally.’

More time in hospitals, more time spent wringing my hands whilst one of my babies goes under a surgeon’s knife. More follow up appointments, more worry.

Have we not had enough?

I used to joke that our medical baggage kept this blog running, now I am struggle to see the funny side.

I just need a day to get my head around it all. Then I can plaster on a smile and resume life as usual.

It is just a bit exhausting. I have birthed three amazing independent, gorgeous children. Each has a hint of uniqueness and a medical badge of honour. None of them are sickly, in fact they are robust little beggars. Yet we find ourselves in hospital playrooms almost twice a month.

Between them they have 14 fixed appointments a year in a hospital wing. These are ongoing until they reach adulthood. The reality is they go far more often and often I find myself reading in a waiting room twice a week.

I know I should be grateful that it is not worse, and god knows we see some sick kids on our travels, and I know some wonderful, poorly adults.

I am grateful, but still, just a little pissed off.

I used to have a job I loved. It seems like a bridge too far to ever imagine being able to go back with the time I need to spend dating the NHS.

Over three years I have learnt a host of new medical skills, how to administer rectal diazepam for seizures, how to change nappies in a spicy cast, how to administer insulin through needles and a pump. I can change cannulas with ease, perform physio on hips and ankles.

I am a walking first aid box.

Now I can care for a hearing aid (it is pretty easy)‎. Soon I will be adding post surgery skills of the inner ear to my repertoire.

Most days I can count my blessings and smile and laugh it all away. But on others, I am simply sick of all this crap and enjoy the selfish longing for my life before I started spending all my family time with the NHS.

I can normally justify these actions with some meaningful excuse. Although I will confess as I found myself hurtling out to sea on Friday afternoon with two nine-year olds by my side on a yellow sausage-shaped inflatable, even I was struggling to justify my stupidity.

But I dug deep and found one….

Which made me feel better about the fact that I was going to take my twin nine-year olds, and myself and tie ourselves to the back of a boat and sail up into the sky with only a bit of cotton behind us.

As I hung on for dear life to the inflatable that was taking us to the next boat which was going to allow us to fly, I managed to tell myself the story that I was teaching the kids strength and courage. That I was showing them to face their fears despite their knackered ears and diabetes.

By the time we arrived at the speed boat I was almost crowning myself as an evangelical supermum, throwing myself in the path of danger just to teach the kids courage and daring.

Then I saw the parachute fly up from the boat, and noted that it was being secured with a couple of flimsy ropes and I promptly pooped myself and just thought…. “What a fecking eejit am I.”

“You said it would be ok” he whimpered with a similar look of terror flooding his features.

I let the wind change my face from petrified to perky.

“Oh it is going to be amazing,” I trilled as heart sank to my boots.

He didn’t look convinced…

Challenge one was moving from the inflatable sausage onto the boat. I aimed to try and climb aboard in a dignified fashion, instead I stumbled, yelped out loud, and had to be hoisted by my life jacket by a tall young man with incredible deadlocks into the boat where I landed on my belly, in a starfish fashion.

Man with incredible dreadlocks struggled to hide his snorts of laughter at the sight of my sunburnt arse blocking the sun on the floor of his boat.

The kids hopped in like they were sailors in a former life….

Feckers.

I was rather surprised to note that we wouldn’t be sitting on an actual seat for our flight in the sky, but instead we were just strapped into a harness and clipped to the parachute with clips that Owen could not resist twanging at every opportunity.

As we sat on the floor, parachute flapping behind us, Owen clicking at the only thing protecting us from falling into the sea to become shark fodder, I actually cried internally, and possibly wet my pants a little.

Then with a cheer from the dreaded one, and a small hand clenched in each of mine, we were suddenly up, up, and away. Soaring out behind the boat at a thousand miles an hour, high in the sky, my two children and I, flying above the ocean, dancing near the sun.

It was incredible, silent, except for the ongoing commentary of my son, peaceful to the point of tranquility (except for the ongoing commentary of my son), and my terror was immediately replaced by a feeling of serenity.

“Mum, this is amazing” cried Molly, “I feel like I can do anything if I can do this!”

Score one for mum! Turns out I can teach the kids to face their fears, and conquer a few of my own!

We went parasailing on Puerto Mogan beach, during our review trip to Solobre Golf Resort in Gran Canaria with James Villas. It was amazing, and one of many activities you can try out whilst staying in Gran Canaria. It was also terrifying, but all turned out well in the end!

]]>http://www.northernmum.com/2015/03/justification-daftness/feed/8http://www.northernmum.com/2015/03/justification-daftness/#ARWOMEN: Who inspires mehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/N_XUjkzXLns/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/03/arwomen-inspires/#respondMon, 02 Mar 2015 18:06:48 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8579So many women inspire me. My own Mother, my grandmothers before her. All for different reasons and all for the right reasons. From my mother I am inspired to be a better person, a lesson I am continually learning.

Females from history also dictate my future and shape the path of my life.

I was asked to say who inspired me by new fashion website Atterleyroad as part of their #ARWOMAN campaign. Atterleyroad think an #ARWOMAN is empowering and empowered. It was tough to choose one woman.

But I went back to my education, to a woman whose books I devoured through college and University.

Maya Angelou

The quote I live by from her is:

My ife does not mirror Maya Angelou’s, the challenges she faced, overcame and lived through make my problems look like fairy cakes. However her wisdom is applicable through every area of my life.

When my six year old was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes, I didn’t let it defeat me.

All these things just made me stronger, more capable, more determined to be a better mother, to never let any disabilities grind us down.

When complex regional syndrome came to reside in our home, I didn’t let it defeat me, although it very nearly broke me and my beautiful Molly.

When my son was told he may face major surgery over the next few months for his hearing problems, I realised that I can rise above anything, and take my children with me. We may not be able stop the ongoing medical problems, but we can carry on regardless.

The moment I allow myself to be defeated is the moment my kids realise they have problems. Right now, they are just fantastic kids who have a couple of conditions that sometimes make life complicated, but not impossible.

I needed inspiration to have this mindset, I found this from Maya Angelou….

]]>http://www.northernmum.com/2015/03/arwomen-inspires/feed/0http://www.northernmum.com/2015/03/arwomen-inspires/The one about dental floss knickershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/BSUvjlrzTVM/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/one-dental-floss-knickers/#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 22:07:45 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8569It was my first time in a bikini, and I won’t lie to you. I felt self-conscious as I looked around me and saw throngs of teenage girls dressed in tiny triangles and dental floss knickers.

I wondered if I could spend all day holding my stomach in and trying to keep my breasts from residing at their usual naval level.

Had I thought it through I would have ‎worn a smock to the water park….

Luckily, my children seemed not care about the lines on my tummy and the wobble that appears when I walk, and they dragged immediately towards a collection of terrifyingly looking brightly coloured slides.

“Let’s go on this one” yelled Owen, as he started wrapping up his battered ears with plugs and neophane.

He pointed towards a green and blue striped abomination which looked like it wanted to swallow me whole and spit me out into a pool of ice.

I pretended I couldn’t hear and turned, desperately looking for something less petrifying… like a helter skelter.

The whole place was simply over flowing with sheers drops and death-defying slides.

Put simply…

I was fecked.

The children sensed my fear and it merely spurred them on, adding a little skip to their step as we started to climb 4567 stairs to the top of the slide.

For added fun, they nominated me pack-horse for the day and I had to carry the double inflatable rubber ring that was to be our transport down.

Oh what fun….

Finally we reached the clouds and a twenty something year old, exceptionally tanned young man tried to help me into my ring.

So ungracious was my attempt, that I heard sniggers from the teenage triangle wearing teens that were queuing on the steps.

Eventually my arse was sealed into the burning yellow plastic ring. Creating a suction style plug between the ice cold water and the slide floor.

A child hopped into the ring in front of me, causing no disgrace to themselves at all and whoosh we were off.

My life flashed before me as we hurtled round bends, come precariously close to tipping over the edge, and flew down a drop that can only be described as vertical.

My son whooped in joy and I sobbed in terror.

The end was nigh, but we were going to crash. The water was running out.

I had no choice.

Using all my strength I plunged myself deeper into the ring, forcing my bikini bottom to the floor.

My ass became a handbrake.

My briefs took the brunt of the action.

We survived the ride, and when I left the pool. I realised why all the other girls were wearing thong style bikinis….

]]>http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/one-dental-floss-knickers/feed/17http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/one-dental-floss-knickers/James Villas: The holiday that makes sense….http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/v6HSGCKZpdA/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/james-villas-holiday-makes-sense/#commentsWed, 25 Feb 2015 21:44:22 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8561The day began with the sound of children howling in pleasure as they darted in and out of the pool. The laughs on occasion turn to shouts as one tried to drown the other. But in general, it was happiness that floated from the water to where I lay in the sun.

Not a bad way to start the day.

The rest of our time has been consumed by the beach. Support arrived yesterday in the form of my parents. I am no longer the single mum in the sand, instead we have a one to one ratio, the odds are turning in my favour.

The kids are delighted their grandparents have arrived, as a surprise to delight them.

And whilst not needing the help, the company is delightful.

The afternoon has passed in a sleepy blur, the sun has sparkled all day, the temperature ideal ‎for snoozing in the sun.

My dad must be knackered as I confess my parenting has been hands off and his full on. I have come down with a nasty dose of man flu which I imagine is my punishment for posting multiple images across all social media platforms about my holiday….

I hear rumour it is cold in Blighty…

It is lovely here, the sun shines with a fantastic fury, we have good food, great accommodation, and a perfect temperature for kids to play in and grown ups to snooze in.

Staying in a villa makes so much sense with children, everything is easier. The kids fall out of bed in the morning, wander downstairs and collapse into a world of iPods and tablets. I wake about an hour later as their tummies start to rumble and cruise downstairs to make breakfast.

Then as I tidy the dishes away they are already in the pool, or hitting a tennis ball in the garden, or even just colouring in the lounge.

It is our own space, I don’t have to worry about other hotel guests, fear that the kids are being too loud at dinner, or be constrained to one hotel room.

Self catering villas are simply the way forward.

Plus as sad as it sounds, the benefit of having a washing machine in the villa, means I am coming home laundryless. Putting a load on, in my bikini, between bouts of sunbathing is not that challenging…

Salobre Golf: the resort we are staying at, offers the best of both worlds. We have own villa to hide in, but the hotel’s seven pools to explore. The restaurant is on hand if we don’t feel like cooking, plus the beautiful beach resort of Meloneras is a few kilometres away for some outstanding cuisine by the sea.

Would I recommend James Villas?

What do you think?

]]>http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/james-villas-holiday-makes-sense/feed/2http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/james-villas-holiday-makes-sense/Driving off a cliff, and other stories….http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/mJsDMtssOdI/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/driving-off-cliff-stories/#commentsSun, 22 Feb 2015 20:02:38 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8541My leg was getting scratched from the undergrowth surrounding us. I called again to the stranger operating the parking brake of the car.

“Now, now,” – and then I heaved all my body weight into the car, hurtling it forward.

Well, not quite hurtling, perhaps more shuffling.

Either way the hire car was causing me more trauma.

Don’t get me wrong. I am having the most fantabulous holiday. But the whole driving thing is a little distressing. Everytime we get in the car I have to identify the child on my right and repeat the following ten times…

“Owen on my right, the line on my left…..”

Why can’t everyone just get along and drive on the same fecking side of the road?

Then today we had the most magical day. We left the sanctuary of our villa and headed for Palmitos Park. I managed to drive on mountain roads without falling off the cliff and enjoyed a day surrounded by birds, turtles and snakes. The highlight being when we whacked out the euros and paid to have a dolphin experience.

I bloody love dolphins, and today I got to kiss one, stroke one, and made him sing and dance. My life was enriched, and I think the kids enjoyed it too.

Then the whole affair was soured as we headed back to the car park, I failed to work out how to get my sparkling white Citroen into reverse, nearly sent the whole family over a cliff edge and ended up begging someone to work the brake whilst I shoved the car back into the car park.

For the second time this holiday I sobbed at the wheel.

I am a pansy.

You will be pleased to know, reverse was eventually found, and I made it back to the villa safe.

We may never leave again.

If they could just get a dolphin in the pool…..

Our villa is immense…

So many of my beautiful friends have texted to see how we are getting on, being on holiday, just me and three kids.

They don’t mention it, but they are asking if I am coping without a man…

I thought I would feel like the odd one out, just me and three kids, no significant other in sight.

The truth is, we are having a ball. My children are good company, mad as loons admittedly, but tremendous fun to be around. I feel like I fit in perfectly, as I am smiling as much as everyone else.

Salobre Golf (our resort), keeps us busy, with our own private pool, plus several others, we have so many swimming options. The kids club is on hand for when I need a break. Yesterday, Owen and Libby-Sue went for two hours and Molly and I just lay on sun beds and chatted. I burnt, she didn’t. I took this as a parental win.

We pop up to the Sunset bar in the evening, and watch the sun bend down to kiss the sea and tuck itself in for the night. The kids have a rare 7Up, I treat myself to a cocktail. We chat about the day, exchange stories about the best bits.

We also ate in the Sheraton Hotel yesterday, which is based in the resort, both breakfast and dinner. Holy smokes! The food is to die for and the choice limitless. Serenity was mine as I chowed down on everything that came my way.

It is hard to write funny when you feel so happy.

But for now, I will take being happy.

A very wise, very lovely friend recently told me, ‘happiness is a journey, not a destination’.

I am enjoying the journey….

Enormous thanks to James Villa’s for allowing us to visit this half term….

Info about James Villas.

James Villas is part of Wyndham Vacation Rentals, the world’s largest professionally managed vacation rentals company.

Wyndham Vacation Rentals provides access to more than 100,000 vacation rental properties in approximately 600 unique destinations worldwide. That amounts to 10 million rental nights booked each year.

In Europe, guests can choose from a variety of experiences including cottages, villas, camping holidays, skiing trips, boating, lodge parks and city apartments. In the U.S., Wyndham Vacation Rentals offers properties in some of the most sought-after beach, ski, mountain, theme park, golf and tennis resort destinations.

For more information visit www.WyndhamVacationRentals.com which features properties from its more than 25 vacation rental brands, including James Villas.

Sometimes you just need some time away, a change of pace, a new window to gaze out of. Sometimes ‎a break from reality is just what the doctor ordered.

I am abroad, I have single-handedly brought my three children thousands of miles away from home, by myself.

I realise now that I have never really understood single parenting before, I have never shown the respect to a single mum or dad that is needed for them journeying alone.

Being on holiday is not a hardship, but as a single parent, it is different.

We are guests this week of James Villas, staying at the beautiful Salobre Golf resort in Gran Canaria. We have all been looking forward to this holiday for a terribly long time.

But why I chose to fly at seven am is a bloody mystery to us all.

That meant a 4am wake up call….

I am not a nice person at 4am….

To be fair, it would have been earlier had we not been offered a stay through APH, at the Felbridge Hotel near Gatwick.

Somehow I managed to shout the children to sleep by nine pm and our five alarms roused us at 4am. By pre booking our Gatwick Airport parking we merely drove five minutes, abandoned the car, popped on a bus‎, and were at Gatwick for 5am.

The trickier bit was metamorphosing into a pack-horse‎, and balancing two 18kg suitcases, a bag stashed with medical equipment, three bags containing more technology than an Apple store, a handbag, and a food bag.

Thank God I lift weights. I may have a new one rep max on lugging luggage….

Walking through the x-ray machine brought its usual traumas, not helped by Owen helpfully telling the blue shirted chap…

“You want to watch that bag, it is brimming with needles and drugs…”

The entire family was patted down. Extensively….

Then because my children couldn’t imagine a morning without breakfast we had to run like the Gruffalo was chasing us to get the flight. Then we shamefully took our seats as the last aboard….

Four hours in a flying tin can is a long time…. my ears are still ringing from the amount of times I heard the word ‘mummy’ being called.

My wallet is still empty from the amount of money I spent on Pringles….

We arrived..

Safely, some of us more exhausted and poorer than before.

Then we headed to our hire car.

I have never driven abroad before.

Who knew I was such a scaredy cat, and how I have managed to get to 37 without being able to tell my left from my right is amazing.

I got behind the wheel, got all confused with the door and the gear stick and sobbed a little. Then I called my parents to help me face the situation…

My Mum got my Dad…

My Dad recommended I got a cab….

Then reassured me that driving on the right was tricky….

I’d like to say it helped….

Then we were off. The kids stunned in silence by my desperate pleas for them not to speak whilst I fully focused on not killing us all.

*Proud face* I only drove around one roundabout the wrong way, and although I never exceeded 60km per hour once, I would like to think I made some friends on the road.

And the lady whose car door I nearly hugged with my front bumper was very nice about the whole affair.

Parking at the villa was possibly the happiest day of my life. Not killing your offsprings is a fantastic achievement….

The villa is amazing…

The whole resort is stunning, it evokes calmness, serenity and a feeling of bliss that only a good vacation can create.

I think we are going to like it here….

]]>http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/single-parent-goes-abroad/feed/5http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/single-parent-goes-abroad/Modz: The new Angry Birds Blood Glucose Metrehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/y9Nt1KHDZAw/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/modz-new-angry-birds-blood-glucose-metre/#commentsTue, 17 Feb 2015 22:04:26 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8527Lets face it, there is not much to laugh at when I talk about Diabetes. Type One entered our life over two years ago, and I have still yet to find the funny.

However, for my daughter, the one who lives with the condition day-to-day, who battles to have good blood sugar control, who dreams of a day when she doesn’t need to bleed before she can eat. Well, for her, we all put a brave face on. Because, it is no kind of life when your annoying condition dominates your days.

So, as a parent to a Type One Diabetic, I was intrigued when asked by Modz, to try out their first motivational blood glucose monitor.

What is it?

Modz have developed a meter that incorporates fun into blood tests, by mixing in an Angry Birds theme into the glucose metre.

As you test your bloody sugar, the metre responds by interacting with the child as an Angry bird, presenting a cartoon figure who either explodes, smiles, of worries when it receives the childs blood sugar result.

It is simple but effective.

What else?

From a parents perspective, the device offers reassurance because it can automatically send results by SMS or email to you. So no need to continuously ask your child what their levels have been that day. As you will already know. Likewise, you can program in reminders so when your Diabetic warrior is out of your sight, they will still remember to test their bloods.

The results are saved in the cloud, so can be accessed immediately, allowing you to quickly make changes when needed to any aspects of your son or daughters diabetic care.

Is it cool for kids?

I will be honest, I was surprised by how much Molly went for the product. Even to the extent of wearing it on a lanyard around her neck. She is a little bit smitten by her new handset.

Each blood test she watched avidly to see the reaction on-screen, and she reveled in the fact that both her brother and sister were queuing up to ask her to test their blood sugar so they too could ‘have a go.’

When I asked Molly what she thought, she said….

Sometimes being a Diabetic is hard, everyone stares at you and wants to watch you prick yourself and make yourself bleed. With this metre, everyone simply wants to join in, and suddenly you don’t feel different in a bad way, but instead, just a little bit special.

For me, that sums up why products that Modz are developing can enact a real change in the lives of Diabetic children,

Mixing gaming and health is a genius idea, and seeing kids rush to take care of themselves because it is fun, is simply delightful. Plus if Molly endorses it, then so do I.

You can find out more about the product, including costings etc at Modz website, you can also register for discounts and coupons.

]]>http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/modz-new-angry-birds-blood-glucose-metre/feed/4http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/modz-new-angry-birds-blood-glucose-metre/What to do in Maidstone with kidshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/WVQfj0wYSPg/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/maidstone-kids/#respondTue, 17 Feb 2015 21:18:54 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8522The Uk is full of great places to explore with children. Often you can find great little entertainment spots that you may have never knew existed before.

Maidstone in Kent, whilst not being a traditional tourist destination, has some great treats to explore with the kids, you can make a fantastic weekend of fun.

What to do

Headcorn Areodrome is one of our favourite places to visit. It is a simple afternoon that can be spent enjoying small aircraft taking off and landing, Whilst catching the occasional parachutist landing on the grass airstrip. If you arrive on the right day you will get to hear Spitfires taking off, plus you can pre book and treat the kids to a flight in a small aircraft – if you are brave enough.

Entry to the airfield is free, although some events are chargeable.

Skydiving and flights are payable extras!

Leeds Castle is a fabulous part of English heritage. it is renown for being one of the prettiest castles in the UK and as soon as you turn the corner to see it, you will understand why. The Maze will keep the children occupied for hours, but then the discovery of the Grotto will delight both young and old. My children have lost time playing in the children’s castle, and my smallest declares the ice cream at Fairfax hall to be the best in the land.

Admission is free for those under 15, and £24 for those older.

Kent Life is a fantastic place to show the children how life on the farm works. With a terribly cute cuddle corner for the little ones. After spending a day with the animals, you can then go and relax with a cup of tea whilst the children hurtle around a soft play centre, burning off excess energy.

It is always work checking ahead to see if any special events are on which will delight the children more,

Admission is from £5.70 for adults and £4.50 for children, dependant on the season.

Where to stay

If you want to be in amongst the action, then staying at the Holiday Inn Maidstone is a good recommendation. Based in the beautiful village of Wrotham you are ideally placed to explore all the treats Maidstone and Kent has to offer. With an indoor pool to relax in with the kids following a hard days exploring, and a fitness centre for any parents with extra energy, you can enjoy a proper break at a super hotel.

You can book in advance and get a save rate, plus make the trip extra special by booking a beauty treatment or upgrading to a suite,

Either way you are bound to have a fantastic time, staying in luxury and exploring the beauty of one of Britain’s cities.

In association with IHG

]]>http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/maidstone-kids/feed/0http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/maidstone-kids/Making healthy food fun for kids.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthernMum/~3/JJPPQWLQxBc/
http://www.northernmum.com/2015/02/making-healthy-food-fun-kids/#respondThu, 12 Feb 2015 09:48:08 +0000http://www.northernmum.com/?p=8517“This mummy?” she said with hope in her eyes as she brandished a bag of chocolate buttons before me.

I shook my head and mournfully she put them back and moved along the shelf.

She selected a giant flapjack, coated in chocolate, “this?” she pleaded again.

Once more I shook my head and gently steered her towards the fruit shelf where she selected an apple grudgingly.

She is taking part in a healthy living week at school. And blimey she finds it hard work….

However healthy eating is an area of life I am passionate about.‎ We are food conscious anyway because of my eldest daughters diabetes. But I want to raise my kids to make educated choices about what they put in their body. And I want them to know the truth about how food is made.

And where ever possible‎ I’d like them to have home-made food.

And it would be ideal if they could make it themselves!

Wholegrain goodness are a non profit organisation for the promotion of healthy wholegrains. They allowed six kids to run wild in a professional kitchen with a wholegrain pizza recipe. And they filmed it for our entertainment.